The NM4 also known as the Vultus in other countries across the world has made its return for the 2017 Honda motorcycle model lineup. As always when a new model year releases, people are curious if Honda made any changes to the NM4 Vultus for 2017. It is unchanged for the 2017 model year. A lot of people that follow Honda’s models in other countries were hoping that we would get the 750 engine for the NM4 here in the USA. In 2014, Honda upgraded the 700 class (670cc) engine for the NC model lineup and bumped up the displacement to 745cc in return creating the NC750X, NC750S. Since the NM4 was originally released as a 2015 model, Honda decided to use that 750 engine they created in 2014 and throw it in the NM4 for a few countries other than the USA. The minor bump in engine size for the NM4 added a few extra horsepower and a tad bit more torque as well.

* 2017 NM4 UPDATE:

Honda has announced that due to unforeseeable delays that we will not be getting a 2017 NM4 and all dealers that ordered them will be cancelled. They are expecting to bring back the NM4 motorcycle in 2018. Once I have more detailed information on the 2018 Honda NM4 and its release date, pricing etc I will post it up so everyone can follow the progress. Even though this was a “limited production” bike, it had quite the following so it’s a shame to see this happen but I’m sure Honda is on the ball getting the production hiccups sorted out as they are in the business of selling motorcycles so every bike they can’t bring to market ends up costing them $$.

A ground-breaking motorcycle inspired by the desire to establish a unique riding experience and an identity not bound by standard motorcycle design, with strong echoes of futuristic bikes seen in Japanese movies. Created by a young design team who remained true to their original concept at every stage through to production, the NM4 Vultus brings radical style to the streets, with function from the future for a new breed of rider.

If you’ve ever wanted to transport yourself into the future, this is your machine. By design, the NM4 shakes up the status quo and explodes conventional barriers in order to attract a whole new segment of forward-thinking riders to motorcycling. Beneath its futuristic bodywork there’s a 670cc (745cc European model), liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine with four valves per cylinder, automatic dual-clutch transmission and ABS. Storage pockets in the fairing plus saddlebags add real-world utility, and the rear turn signals are neatly integrated into the rear bags. The rider settles easily onto a comfy seat that’s perched a low, 25.6 inches off the ground, and there’s also a cool and practical rider backrest feature—the passenger seat flips up and can be set at three different angles and slides fore and aft to one of four positions. Full LED lighting lets the NM4 stand out whether it’s coming or going, the fat, 200mm rear tire imparts a cool look, and the meter display can be illuminated in any of 25 different color choices—nearly one for every day of the month.

Six-Speed Automatic Dual-Clutch Transmission
Honda’s revolutionary Automatic DCT transmission is changing the way people ride. It’s smooth, smart and the clear choice for a machine as futuristic as this one. Want to shift yourself? The handlebar-mounted paddle-style buttons put you in control. It’s the best of both worlds.

Styling That Stands Out
Want to turn some heads? The NM4 does more than just that. It’s easily one of the most unique motorcycles on the road. The first time you see one up close, you’ll never forget—and neither will anyone else. The angular fairing, the presence the front-end commands, the integrated storage. The NM4 is as futuristic as anything on two wheels.

Advanced Twin-Cylinder Engine
No matter how revolutionary a motorcycle looks, we all know great bikes start with great engines. The NM4’s 670cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin is pure Honda. Tipping the cylinders forward also contributes to the NM4’s low center of gravity, a big plus in terms of handling.

Remarkably low seat height of 25.6 inches along with the 62-degree forward angle of the cylinder assembly help create a very low center of gravity, making the NM4 feel distinctly nimble and fun to ride.

Second-generation Automatic six-speed Honda Dual Clutch Transmission uses two hydraulically controlled clutches to deliver quick and smooth gear changes in a choice of three modes: Manual (MT), which allows the rider to shift gears using buttons, and two automatic (AT) modes—S for sportier riding and D for everyday use.

NM4 Review Contents:

1. Introduction

2. Model overview

3. Key features

4. Accessories

5. Technical specifications

1. Introduction

Honda is founded on innovation. In keeping with this tradition, in recent years, from deep within the company came the desire to create a new machine that would push boundaries, with an identity, riding feeling and experience that could and would place it in a class of its own.

The visual creative spark was fired by the futuristic bikes seen in the anime and manga* television and film styles. Known collectively as “Japanimation”, in Japan both genres have long been very grown-up entertainment, woven into the fabric of life; now, the philosophy, attitude, fashion and feeling are worldwide and mainstream phenomena.

Another critical factor in the genesis of this new entity was a desire to create a machine capable of crossing traditional two-wheeled lines and reach out to a wider audience. The creative team of engineers who conceived, designed and put it together are in their 20s and early 30s. They were given a completely free hand. In that respect, the NM4 Vultus represents a leap of faith from Honda, one intended to appeal to and attract a new kind of rider.

And those that want it will want it now. They may well be aware of the great engine and chassis it’s built on, but what will really captivate them is the way it looks and how it makes them feel. The NM4 Vultus is real, like nothing else, and it is here.

Mr Keita Mikura, Large Project Leader (LPL) NM4 Vultus:

“Honda is a big company. We make every kind of motorcycle. It’s great that sometimes we make a certain machine simply because we can and because we want to, not because we “should”.

The NM4 Vultus exists because of a passion from deep within our company. We wanted to create something special, not just in the two-wheeled world, but truly unique in the whole world – a machine that engages a human soul like no other.

Our intention was to make something that makes every moment feel cinematic, and we want riding it to be an event – guaranteed – every single time.”

*anime – Japanese abbreviation of “animation”.

2. Model Overview

The young social media-engaged urbanite lives a digital existence in a fast moving world. And they’re totally engaged by the new. Without question, the NM4 Vultus is just that. It is avant-garde in both the way it looks but also, and perhaps more importantly, in the detail work that has gone into creating a unique riding experience. The reactive dashboard – with colors that change depending on driving mode – and flip-up pillion seat that acts as rider backrest are just two examples.

Vultus is Latin for appearance, expression – or face. The NM4 Vultus, with its LED lights, future-shock style and stealth bomber silhouette presents a look that will not have been seen in any city-scape this side of an anime movie…

Underneath the brooding menace is a rock-solid chassis and engine package. Packed with low-friction technology, its 670cc twin-cylinder engine (745cc Euro) is canted forward, creating space and a low center of gravity. Delivering strong low and mid-range power and torque for smooth acceleration coupled with excellent fuel economy, it’s also equipped as standard with Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT), giving the rider options between automatic twist-and-go D and S mode – plus trigger-operated computer game-style manual MT mode. Intuitive and easy to use, it adds to the futuristic appeal of the NM4 Vultus and is the perfect complement to the engine’s gutsy, usable performance.

3. Key Features

3.1 Styling & Equipment

It’s wide – 810mm up front, 933mm measured across the mirrors – low, and long; with seat height of 650mm. Drawn from all the overtones and billions of bytes that shaped its creators’ imagination, the manga andanime influences throughout the NM4 Vultus are obvious in every chiseled angle and evocative curve, especially from head on: its broad, angular ‘face’ will never go unnoticed. Behind it, the rider sits enveloped in a cockpit-like surrounding, with the digital instrument panel always in view.

Lighting is full LED with front indicators and mirrors integrated into the bodywork while the shaped headlight is framed with a blue definition line. Everything is blacked-out to the max – with carefully-placed glimpses of burnished stainless steel here and there – and only one paint option will be available: matte black.

The obvious question every NM4 Vultus rider will face is “what film was THAT in?”. Its looks are that bold. And as a machine that comes straight from the rapidly beating heart of Japanese manga culture, it was always going to be different. Having absorbed its striking presence, the thought that’s gone into the design becomes more apparent.

Storage spaces abound, concealed in the front bodywork. The lockable left compartment opens with the ignition key and features 1-liter of storage space plus a 12V DC adapter to recharge what matters while on the move. The right compartment has 3-liters of storage and opens with a push of a recessed, triangulated button. Optional rear panniers integrate fluidly adding even more convenient carrying capacity.

Adding further to the bike’s eye-catching appeal, the rear pillion seat flips upright when not in use, locking to provide the rider with a secure backrest and almost fighter pilot riding position. Its angle can be adjusted through 3 positions and it slides back/forward 25mm through four settings, to fine-tune cockpit comfort.

The digital dash changes mood depending on the drive mode selected, with subtle color changes from Neutral (white) through D (blue) to S (pink), ultimately to MT (red). Alternatively, the rider can choose one color from five other tonal ranges of color – 25 individual colors altogether – they want to live with on a day-to-day basis

3.2 Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT)

In keeping with its avant-garde appeal, the NM4 Vultus is equipped as standard with Honda’s unique DCT, specially tuned for a smooth acceleration feeling.

DCT delivers consistent, seamless gear changes, and very quickly becomes second nature in use. It uses two clutches: one for start-up and 1st, 3rd and 5th gears: the other for 2nd, 4th and 6th, with the mainshaft for each clutch located inside the other for compact packaging. Each clutch is independently controlled by its own electro-hydraulic circuit. When a gear change occurs, the system pre-selects the target gear using the clutch not currently in use. The first clutch is then electronically disengaged as, simultaneously, the second clutch engages.

The result is a consistent, fast and seamless gear change. Furthermore, as the twin clutches transfer drive from one gear to the next with minimal interruption of the drive to the rear wheel, any gear change shock and pitching of the machine is minimized, making the change feel direct as well as smooth.

With extra benefits such as durability (as the gears cannot be damaged by missing a gear) impossibility of stalling, low stress urban riding and reduced rider fatigue, DCT’s acceptance and popularity is fast expanding.

Three modes of operation are available. MT mode gives full manual control, allowing the rider to shift with the handlebar trigger control buttons. Automatic D mode is ideal for city and highway riding, and achieves optimum fuel efficiency. Automatic S mode is sportier and the ECU lets the engine rev a little higher before shifting up, giving greater performance. It also shifts down sooner when decelerating for extra engine braking.

In either D or S mode, DCT offers immediate manual intervention if required – the rider simply selects the required gear using the up and down shift triggers on the left handlebar. At an appropriate time DCT seamlessly reverts back to automatic mode, depending on throttle angle, vehicle speed and gear position.

Furthermore, in D mode, the DCT system detects variations in rider input typical to certain environments, from busy urban streets to mountain switchbacks, and adapts its gear change schedule accordingly to create an extra level of riding compatibility. “Kickdown” gear changes are natural and intuitive.

Bore is set at 77mm with 80mm stroke, plus compression ratio of 10.7:1. The engine features twin balance shafts, the effect of which counteracts vibration from high rpm inertia. So it manages to feel refined, yet retain the characterful ‘throb’ delivered by its 270° firing order. Where possible, components are made to do more than one job: the camshaft drives the water pump, while one of the balancer shafts drives the oil pump.

A high-absorption catalyser is located close to the engine – as a result the catalyst reaches operating temperature quickly after a cold start, further reducing emissions.

3.4 Chassis

The rugged steel diamond frame at the NM4 Vultus’s core delivers the high levels of rigidity required for agile, responsive handling in a variety of conditions from busy urban to open road. Rake is set at 33° with trail of 110mm, wheelbase of 1,645mm and front/rear weight balance of 49/51. Curb weight for the 2016 NM4 Vultus comes in at 562 lb / 245 kg.

4. NM4 Honda Genuine Accessories (Vultus)

Passenger Backrest, Rear Seat Cowl, Tall Windscreen, Heated Grips

Accessory Warranty: Because we’re so confident in the quality of each of our Honda Genuine Accessories, we’re pleased to offer one of the best warranties in the industry. One-year warranty begins on the day accessories are purchased by the customer.